This is another instance of a complete breakdown in the rule of law: people are being employed in the public service (or made to believe so) in total circumvention of public service regulations and the civil service is totally impotent to put a stop to this abuse.

In normal circumstances, it does not make sense that someone would abandon a higher paid job in the private sector for a job with the public sector that pays €700 a month. However, it seems that many, though not all, of these recruits, are getting a minimal salary for putting in just a few hours at work every day.

Though he is not the sole culprit in this respect, Anton Refalo should be thoroughly ashamed of himself. In four years, he has achieved precious little except for this wholesale assault on the private sector.

He is privileging those who prefer a cosy existence to the detriment of those who strive hard in the private sector. He is committing a grave injustice to honest workers and industrious operators.

A new government will have much on its plate to redress this dramatic situation.

Once you’ve voted in the morning, you can’t do anything about it even if you’ve changed your mind in the evening.

The Labour Party has a big problem with reluctant voters right now. If it drives out the vote early, they’re sorted.